Nice mention of my Smiths piece for my exhibition on this site!

BBC Typeface!

I hate condescending “designers” who diss others’ love of certain fonts. Comic Sans is my most popular font requested with my button badge company. Like music, the best ones are loved or hated I’d say! I emailed BBC saying thanks for playing my tune and it was Synchro LET for my album sleeve (hint hint, play more and get me PRS!)

Kraftwerk

Another piece of artwerk for my Popfest exhibition! In addition to London, there’s also now another venue in Glasgow wanting to take it on next year too which is very exciting.

Who took the bomp?

When I was 15, I was extremely shy, didn’t play any instruments well, and had never sung into a mic before. I was so unbelievably shy that kids at school thought there was something wrong (there wasn’t, I was just shy!). The following year I got heavily intrigued by Riot Grrrl. These were girls who played and sung their hearts out in the way that they wanted, normally extremely well, and whose politics and passions moved me beyond belief. These were bands like Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, and Huggy Bear to name but a few. Deeply inspired, I then began playing music with John and Steven to form Bis, and wrote and recorded my first ever songs. I felt I had no one to answer to and was just making whatever fun I wanted to with friends. John and Steven were stupidly talented for such a young age, but it didn’t stop me experimenting myself and coming up with some daft ideas that we mingled to make into songs. Some songs were very silly, lyrics were silly, but we were having such an adventure with excitement that nothing could stop us. I loved that i didn’t care. Okay, I was still very shy and lacked confidence, but somehow I managed to keep going with dressing, writing, singing and dancing on stage in my own stupid way without caring.

It didn’t take long before we got criticised to fuck and although I may have denied it, it did hurt me bad. It maybe stopped me being so daring. Or, maybe it’s just getting older. Either way, I wish I could go back to not caring what anybody thought and just did what I wanted. If it wasn’t for Riot Grrrl I wouldn’t have ever got that way in the first place, so maybe I needed more girls like that around years later for a top-up in inspiration.

I’ve just seen Le Tigre’s ‘Who Took the Bomp’ on tour DVD, where Johanna, Kathleen and JD have once again made me want to make music again. This wasn’t like the tour memories I had with Bikini Kill etc. Don’t get wrong as I loved every minute of what I’ve done, but this was different. It’s fun, there’s a daft similar sense of humour that I’d never known in these girls, and it’s super-inspiring with energy and talent. The politics are of course just as strong, yet the anger that normally seems necessary wasn’t there, just passion. It makes me want to do particularly DIY type music again and tour the USA! I want to not care what people think of what I’m doing again. I disappoint myself by caring, so this is my aim! 2nd solo album or new band! Watch this DVD and let me know what you think!!

Looking forward to seeing this documentary. Many girls (me!) wouldn’t be trying out the music or art they are now if it wasn’t for this lady.

Bis - Team Theme. Listen at 4.28 for a Keroleen giggle

Devo

MEN/CSS need to add a Florida date to this as I’ll be partying there on the 5th!

Yesterday morning. You don’t see a sight like this every morning in Glasgow!

Powerpuffing

the Smiths

Boo to my bod

It’s been 2 weeks since my MS relapse went full blown and ended up being the worst one I’ve had. During a typical relapse like this one areas on me go numb, things on my body don’t want to operate too well, but I get by - just. However, this time I’ve been numb from my chest down (like total dentist type numb) and my legs wouldn’t hold me or feet even raise to put my undies on (who needs them anyway my best bud says!). Sitting down feels well horrid, and stairs to get to the bathroom hasn’t been fun! This has been well scary. My arms and head were still okay so I went to the hospital at the weekend for high strength steroids (500mg a day) to help slow this attack down and stop it spreading further. I’m on day 4 out of 5 and things are operating a ‘little’ bit better.

It’s really embarrassing stumbling and appearing so strange in public so I’ve not left the house much. I’ve got a large girly umbrella to disguise as a walking stick, and I’ve pulled the sleeves of my hubby’s to double the length grabbing onto him getting around. I can’t wait to get back to normal and get off my butt as I really hate this. Gee, is my eye problems not enough for me to complain about??

So, fingers crossed things improve soon and I’ll be stumbling and falling over when it’s wine and cocktails I’ve had instead! Moan over for the night, so where do you recommend I aim to get to on Friday night in Glasgow?!

Cover Versions and Other Cities!

I have Popfest in Glasgow on December 9th where I’m DJing, performing with my Rinettes and displaying/selling my art exhibition “Cover Versions and Other Hits”.

It’s very exciting to be offered an exhibition and DJing in London at the start of next year (date TBC). If the limited prints sell out in Glasgow, I may have to begin a new series of designs, even a new theme, or maybe it’ll be a mix of both. Either way, it’s something I’m very pleased to see is taking off in a really good way!

Camera Obscura

Ah ha!